It’s no secret that the airline industry is in trouble. It’s also no secret that Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson loves flying, in fact he flies the band around the world in their private jet, Ed Force One.

But when he’s not busy being the singer for one of the biggest metal bands in the world he fills his time as a professional pilot for UK carrier Astraeus Airlines. Dickinson has worked for the airline for about five years and was flying 250 holidaymakers back from Saudi Arabia when he heard that management planned to put the company into administration.

The airlines plan forced all flights to be grounded with immediate effect until they can sort out their financial woes. Management have blamed a combination of bad luck, technical issues, and a downturn in business for the financial mess the airline now finds itself in.

But in a recent interview Dickinson has vowed to save the airline, and not return to his life as a rock star as many had assumed. “Firstly, I’m already working on a plan to try to save Astraeus, or at least create a new business with new jobs for my friends and former colleagues at Astraeus,” Dickinson said in the interview. “This is a serious plan involving people who are very good at their jobs. I see the potential for a viable operation should acquisition of the company prove achievable.”

“I’m extremely upbeat about these opportunities,” he continued. “Particularly the potential for a revival, in some form, of Astraeus. The enthusiasm is also fuelled by the deluge of messages I received from the second I switched on my phone after landing the last Astraeus flight on Monday, and, of course, the interest of a number of prospective investors.”

Now all we need is to get him down here to fix our Qantas mess. Check out our slideshow of the weird and wonderful world of musicians hobbies.

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